And the actor called in to On Air with Ryan Seacrest on Monday morning to talk about the phenomenon … and even explain how he managed to sneak into screenings to watch with fans.

“It was really amazing to go see it with an audience,” explains Ansel. “As you said, everyone was sobbing and I’ve never experienced something like this before. At first, it’s weird because you think it’s some sort of laughing, and you’re like, ‘What’s wrong with these people?’ No, everyone is crying.”

Ansel, 20, adds that he has watched TFIOS four times and each time he went with someone. “I haven’t seen it alone. I think it’s nice to have someone to hold onto.”

So how did he get into the theater without being noticed by fans? “We went in a little bit late so it wasn’t a full showing … about a quarter in already. It was good because it was right at the crying was about to start.”

Next up for the actor is Insurgent, the sequel to Divergent, which of course stars his TFIOS onscreen love, Shailene Woodley.

“I cannot get rid of her … rather, she can’t get rid of me,” jokes Ansel. “I only get hired when I’m with Shailene.”